Hope is a communal treasure generously exchanged among us. It thrives in the connections we forge and is never a solitary endeavor. As aptly expressed by Dr. Chan Hellman, a distinguished Professor at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and the visionary founder of the Hope Research Institute, hope has a remarkable tendency to multiply when shared.
Over the past few months, Tehama has actively embraced this social gift, from the enlightening sessions at the Expect More Tehama Summit to the collective inspiration fostered by Coach Carter that brought together local basketball teams. Our community has immersed itself in a multitude of opportunities, dedicating days to the cultivation of hope. Before delving into the rich outcomes of these recent endeavors, let’s pause to explore the essence of hope and unravel why actively practicing it holds such profound significance.
Hope encapsulates the conviction that the coming days hold the promise of improvement over the present and that you possess the capability to shape that outcome. Its significance lies in the fact that:
The science of hope delineates two crucial dimensions of hope skill sets – Willpower and Waypower.
Willpower encompasses what researchers term agency, sometimes called autonomy in psychology, or what frustrated parents might label stubbornness. It embodies the mindset that individuals wield authority over their choices and possess the capability to govern their destinies. Seasoned preschool teachers can readily recall former students, merely at age 4, demonstrating this formidable willpower, ultimately growing up to reshape their circumstances. As revealed by the science of hope, willpower is a teachable and quantifiable skill set. It can be deconstructed, imparted to children as young as 4, and honed throughout one’s lifetime.
Waypower comprises two distinct skill sets – goal setting and the proficiency to chart the necessary steps to achieve those goals. In essence, waypower serves as our GPS, entailing the ability to input a destination (the goal) and generate step-by-step directions to navigate the pathway. A robust skill set in waypower integrates a re-route function, enabling adjustments when a wrong turn is taken or when faced with obstacles, ensuring the continuous progression towards the ultimate goal.
Armed with this insight, it’s only logical that a “Strategies for Success” presentation would incorporate lessons on goal setting, hard work, and self-regulation strategies. However, Coach Carter’s insights on hope proved even more invaluable. He emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are and urged everyone to dream big. This message holds profound significance, especially given that more than 250 professionals recently received the Expect More Tehama report, presenting data on our collective standing in areas like 3rd-grade reading. These same community members heard Jack Hess from Civic Labs delve into the crucial factors influencing upward mobility, offering insights at an individual neighborhood level to provide a nuanced understanding of our starting point. This new learning provokes the question: What if distinct neighborhoods and individuals require tailored support? The image below prompts us to contemplate such a possibility.
Local Connections
First 5 Tehama has explored this neighborhood concept through the Positive Parenting Program. As we enter our third year of implementing PPP, we express gratitude for the diverse group of facilitators who have significantly contributed to building our capacity. Our facilitators reside and work across the county, including Corning, Red Bluff, and Cottonwood. They bring expertise in various family systems, ranging from education and counseling to social work, and are proficient in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
This diversity represents just one facet of our efforts to expand the Positive Parenting Program countywide. We actively foster capacity-building by collaborating with school districts to broaden service availability. Thanks to the support from Tehama County Social Services, we’ve been able to provide scholarships and continue coordinating with any agency interested in enhancing their capacity. Moreover, we’ve decentralized services, making them accessible at various locations such as school sites, healthcare facilities, community hubs like libraries, and churches throughout the county.
Our team extends an open invitation to partner with any educational agency aiming to build capacity or offer a positive parenting course. If you’re interested, please reach out to Angela at abrinkman@first5tehama.com.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up our email, another impactful message from Coach Carter’s recent visit lingers, highlighting the communal aspect of hope as a social gift.
“This is one of the only communities I have visited where y’all really like each other; I mean, truly enjoy being around each other.”
Whether it’s the enchantment of rural living or simply the magic of our exceptional community, this camaraderie plays a pivotal role in our ongoing commitment to collaboration and support for our children, including the youngest among us.
For those seeking more insights into these collaborations, take a moment now to like Expect More Tehama and Family & Community Partnership of Tehama County on social media. And, of course, remember to follow your friends at First 5 Tehama.
Sip & Support
Come and be part of our community on November 29th at 5:30 pm at ENJOY LOCAL, where the volunteer Children’s Christmas Festival Team will be raising tips for this year’s event. Last year, we served over 900 children with resources, presents, and toys from Santa! It truly takes a “Santa’s Village.”
Positive Parenting Program
First 5 Tehama understands the challenges of parenting and acknowledges that everyone can benefit from support. Annually, we sponsor multiple Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) courses in English and Spanish. These courses provide families with proven positive strategies that can be customized to meet any situation. To sign up for upcoming classes, please click HERE.
If you are interested in becoming a trainer, you can contact Angela Brinkman at abrinkman@first5tehama.com.
Early Intervention Partnership
Attention professionals! Mark your calendars for the Early Intervention Partnership on February 8th from 1 to 3 pm. A special guest will join us, ensuring the conversation and collaboration will be rich, engaging, and valuable.